An audio recording of José Julio Sarria performing at the Black Cat, a bohemian bar with a largely gay clientele. This recording was included on a comedy record called "No Camping" (Velvet Records, 1962). Sarria was locally famous for his opera parodies, which he would perform in drag at the Black Cat. He later became the first LGBTQ person to run for office in the United States, in a 1961 bid for a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Sarria also founded the Imperial Court System, a queer charitable organization known for the elaborate courtly titles and pageantry adopted by its members. His persona within the Imperial Court was Empress José I, the Widow Norton.

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